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Exodus 8:13 - Divine power transforms dust.

Exodus 8:13 - שמות 8:13

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן וַיֵּט אַהֲרֹן אֶת־יָדוֹ בְמַטֵּהוּ וַיַּךְ אֶת־עֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וַתְּהִי הַכִּנָּם בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה כָּל־עֲפַר הָאָרֶץ הָיָה כִנִּים בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And they did so; for Aharon stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'ya'asu-chen va'yet Aharon et-yado ve'matehu va'yach et-afar ha'aretz va'tehi ha'kinam ba'adam uva'behema kol-afar ha'aretz haya kinim be'chol-eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵ֗ן וַיֵּט֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן אֶת־יָד֤וֹ בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וַתְּהִי֙ הַכִּנָּ֔ם בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה כׇּל־עֲפַ֥ר הָאָ֛רֶץ הָיָ֥ה כִנִּ֖ים בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵ֗ן וַיֵּט֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן אֶת־יָד֤וֹ בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וַתְּהִי֙ הַכִּנָּ֔ם בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה כׇּל־עֲפַ֥ר הָאָ֛רֶץ הָיָ֥ה כִנִּ֖ים בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Third Plague: Lice (Kinim)

The verse describes the third plague inflicted upon Egypt, where Aharon strikes the dust of the earth, turning it into lice (kinim) that afflict both humans and animals. This plague is significant as it marks the first instance where the Egyptian magicians could not replicate the miracle, admitting, "This is the finger of G-d" (Shemot 8:15).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Shemot 8:13) notes that Aharon, rather than Moshe, was commanded to initiate this plague because the dust had protected Moshe when he killed the Egyptian taskmaster (Shemot 2:12). Since the dust had done Moshe a kindness, it was inappropriate for him to strike it. This teaches the principle of hakarat hatov (recognizing and repaying kindness), even to inanimate objects.

Symbolism of the Plague

  • Humiliation of Egypt's Deities: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:7) explains that lice symbolize degradation, as they are associated with impurity. The plague demonstrated G-d's supremacy over the Egyptian gods associated with the earth (e.g., Geb, the earth god) by turning the very dust they revered into a source of suffering.
  • Divine Precision: The plague affected only the Egyptians, sparing the Israelites, as emphasized by the phrase "in all the land of Egypt" (Shemot 8:13). This distinction highlighted G-d's selective justice.

The Magicians' Admission

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) discusses why the magicians could not replicate this plague: demons (shedim) have power over creatures larger than a barley grain, but lice are smaller, placing them beyond their control. Their admission, "This is the finger of G-d," acknowledges the divine nature of the plague, as even their occult arts had limits.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) interprets the plague as a refutation of Egyptian naturalism. By transforming dust—something Egyptians viewed as inert and lifeless—into living creatures, G-d demonstrated His absolute dominion over nature, countering their belief in the eternal, uncreated nature of the earth.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 97b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of the plague of lice (kinim) in Egypt, particularly regarding whether the lice were created from the dust or transformed from existing dust.
📖 Sanhedrin 67b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the miracles performed by Aharon's rod, emphasizing the divine power behind the plague of lice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the third plague (כִּנִּים / lice) in Egypt?
A: The third plague was כִּנִּים (kinim), which were lice or small insects that infested both humans and animals. According to Rashi, this plague showed G-d's power over even the smallest creatures, as the dust itself turned into lice when Aharon struck it with his staff.
Q: Why did Aharon (Aaron) strike the dust instead of Moshe (Moses)?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:7) explains that since the dust protected Moshe when he buried the Egyptian he had struck (Exodus 2:12), it was improper for Moshe to now strike the same dust. Therefore, Aharon performed this miracle instead out of hakarat hatov (recognizing the good the dust had done).
Q: Why couldn't the Egyptian magicians replicate the plague of lice?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) teaches that the Egyptian magicians could only imitate plagues through dark magic up to a certain limit. Since lice are tiny creatures, their creation was beyond the realm of human magic—only the true power of G-d could transform dust into living creatures at this scale.